Unbelievable. Unreal. Overjoyed.
In previewing Sunday's Jets-Patriots game, the great question everyone had was, "45-3...what changes this time around?" It was the same two teams. In the same stadium. With everything on the line. Personally, I had no idea what would change...concluding that it was a leap of faith to think the Jets had a chance.
A leap of faith that the Patriots offense (point totals in their final 8 games: 39, 31, 45, 45, 36, 31, 34, 38) could somehow be contained after the Jets were so powerless on that Monday night.
A leap of faith that the Jets defense (who lost so much shutdown-ability since their great 2009) could hold their own in coverage and somehow muster any kind of pass rush.
A leap of faith that Tom Brady would show a human side after his historical run to end the season.
A leap of faith that Mark Sanchez could conquer the demons of playing in Foxboro (in two previous games: 300 total passing yards, 1 touchdown, 7 interceptions.)
Finally, the leap of faith that Rex Ryan could do what he promised: for one game, outfox Bill Belichick.
Last week in Indianapolis, I was incredibly uneasy going into the game. I knew Gang Greencould win the game, but this was Peyton Manning. Admittedly, the Seahawks beating the Saints helped my psyche incredibly. I knew one game had nothing to do with the other. What happened in Seattle had no impact thousands of miles away in Indianapolis. But when the 'Hawks won, I just felt it set the tone of, "Get ready for these playoffs. Because things are gonna get wild." Next thing you know, Nick Folk sneaks one through the goal posts as time expires, and the Jets punch their ticket to New England.
Fast forward a week. The Jets will never admit it, but they must have known that they had much more to win than lose against the Patriots. The Pats were Super Bowl favorites and everybody bought in. It's why you were hearing arguments that this team was better than the 2007 team that went to the Super Bowl 18-0. This team was supposedly peaking at the right time and ready to skate to a championship. It's why Welker had fun with his foot comments. It's why Belichick consequently had no problem sitting Welker for a series as a punishment.
And in watching the game, boy did it feel different from Indy. Maybe the memories of 45-3 were still dancing maniacally in my head. But personally I was just waiting for the Jets to climb into a bit of a hole and see if they could dig themselves out. The Pats played their part, moving the ball crisply on the first drive. But the Brady interception just turned everything on its head. The Jets simply never got picks this year, so I was watching in disbelief seeing David Harris 'running' (come on, he couldn't escape 450 lb. Alge Crumpler) down the sideline. Since Brady hadn't turned the ball over since his XFL days, the home fans were stunned. And any Patriots player that said they weren't also stunned would be a liar. On the very first series, the Jets showed they wouldn't be the sieve-swiss cheese-house of cards that they were last time. And who knows-- if Welker is on the field instead of being punished, maybe that play is run for him and the pick never happens. Whoever said the Jets' talk was worthless??
Sure enough, Folk launched the field goal attempt toward Trinidad & Tobago, and the Jets got no points off the shocking turnover. The Pats took the ball right back and marched, marched, and appeared to have a touchdown to Crumpler (meaning he would be responsible for a 14-point swing in this game.) Perhaps seeing how absurd that would be, the football gods fired a bolt of invisible lightning to Crumpler's hands and he dropped the ball. Seven points became three points. It's not much, but the Jets trailing by only 3 at the end of the 1st had all of their fans overjoyed.
When I look back on this game, one turning point I will always remember is Drew Coleman's sack in the second quarter. It was violent. It was vicious. And if Brady had any doubts after his interception, now he had to worry about his wellbeing in the pocket. Understandably, the Pats were not expecting the Jets to fluster Brady in the least bit. But when Rex creates schemes that make four rushers seem like 5-6, every quarterback is vulnerable. Great field position off the punt, Sanchez looks cool as ever going down the field, and the Jets lead 7-3 as Tomlinson skates into the endzone.
After that, I literally don't know what to say. Except for some special teams frustrations, the Jets played the game of their lives. Sanchez was John Wayne, being fearless-yet-efficient with his passes. Back before the Monday massacre, everyone was saying the Patriots didn't have the capacity to handle all the Jets receivers. While that game got out of hand and the point became moot, that viewpoint reared its beautiful head for the Jets in this one. Cotchery was everywhere, Edwards carried two Pro Bowl defenders into the endzone (disappointingly, no Dougie) and Holmes made a touchdown catch that will long live in Jets lore. Tomlinson was capable in his running, and Greene rocked the Pats to sleep to virtually clinch the game.
That's all well and good. But 28 points sometimes hasn't been good enough against the Pats this year. This game was defense, defense, and more defense. Brady never got comfortable, and it was just a snowball effect. The longer the Jets held down the Pats' vaunted offense, the more panic came from New England and the more confidence came brooding from New York. When Brady needed time, a pass rush that nobody saw coming suffocated him. Shaun Ellis sure picked a good time to have the game of his life. Ditto for the youngsters in the secondary that everyone thought would be treated like dog food for 4 quarters. There were plays where Brady had all the time in the world, yet had nowhere to go with the football. A lasting image from watching on television was Rex Ryan, clapping and laughing on the sideline after the Patriots' botched fake punt. The Jets played the Monday night game in a fearful, reactionary way. This time they would be the ones bringing the fight.
Going into this game, the Jets believed the best way to stop Brady was to keep him on the sideline. They allowed the Colts nine possessions the previous Saturday, and still barely hung on. Well yesterday, the game dictated that the Jets had no problem with Brady taking the field. Twelve possessions in all. On the night of 45-3, the Pats had 10 possessions. This time, even 21 points was deceiving. Gang Green allowed but one touchdown and two field goals before sealing the game. The Jets thought they had to do anything they could to keep Brady away from the field...they ended up beating him up and forcing him to the sidelines all by themselves.
And so it went. The Jets went on making plays, holding off a steady-but-by-no-means-terrifying New England rally. They watched the Patriots essentially dig their own grave with an eternal drive that zapped the clock and resulted in zero points. They held on to a few onside kicks, Shonn Greene scurried into the endzone, and it was see ya next year for the ballyhooed Pats.
Rex Ryan called this game the second biggest in Jets history. I suppose that by default, next week's game gets that title and this one slips to third. But I cannot think of a sweeter win for the Jet fans. They wanted to have a rebuttal to Pats fans rehashing memories of 45-3. They watched all week as Pats fans reveled in the fact that Peyton Manning lost to these Jets, as they were so certain that Brady and the boys had #4 all locked up. Look out for karma, New England-ites...all that enjoyment you get out of 'winning' the Brady-Manning discussions may be short lived. Because if Pittsburgh beats the Jets and goes on to win a Super Bowl, they're gonna be comparing their guy Ben to Brady. And look at the postseason success between the two--they'll have a heck of a leg to stand on. Good luck picking a side to root for this Sunday!
So though the Jets teetered on 'way too excited' mode after the game, there was certainly a lot to get off their chests. Unfortunately it was at the expense of Deion Branch. Despite being one of two teams to defeat New England this year, that game was totally dismissed because the Pats were now a 'totally different team.' Nobody bothered to consider that the Jets were exactly the same team, and they had the potential to do it again. They just needed a God damn snack to get themselves refocused.
In the broad scope of things, this win should be completely out of the Jets' heads by today. It's hard to believe that their playoff journey is only halfway complete. They've beaten quarterbacks that have combined for four championships, and they remarkably still need to beat a guy who has two himself. But as that significantly-smaller point spread suggests, the highest mountain for the Jets this postseason has just been summited.
Next Sunday night. Pittsburgh, PA. Jets-Steelers for the right to go to the Super Bowl. In the words of the deranged fellow that wears a Bart Scott jersey every Sunday for the Jets, "Can't wait."
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